Many of us talk about freedom. We hear our national representatives speak of freedom. Exactly what do they mean by freedom and what truly is freedom? I realize it may seem kind of odd to consider the concept of freedom. It seems obvious what it is. However, freedom can be used as a weapon to enslave and prevent the freedom of others. Are you confused? I certainly have been for years. I ponder what freedom is, and how it should be managed. Here I go. . .
If we all have our own definition of freedom, then we all live in a way to enhance our own freedom and to perhaps undermine the freedom of others. As an example, many college universities have created safe zones on their campuses and have prevented more conservative or Christian ideas from being presented. This enhances the “freedom” of those who do not want to listen to these ideas, and it prevents the freedom of those who are not like-minded to speak and listen. This may occur with more progressive ideas from being presented as well.
As another example, many schools and universities across the country have changed for decades. For instance, many of our Ivy League schools began with a solid religious education and had as their first university presidents, religious leaders. Further, our first public school systems utilized the bible and scripture as the basic means for teaching students how to read. In this way, citizens were able to judge laws based upon biblical teachings and principles. My goodness, things have truly changed, where in the name of freedom, Judeo-Christian traditions have been removed from the schools. As a result, religious freedom was infringed upon, and our citizens in general do not have a grounding on biblical principles. Hence, our divisions within society.
In these examples presented, the traditional freedoms of speech and of religion have been suppressed by others, selectively. This is indeed a slippery slope. In the name of freedom, the freedom of others was suppressed.
So, what truly is freedom? Since the inception of the United States of America, freedom was intended for individuals, with the common good of all others considered. This is clear in the Constitution and in the Bill of Rights. These documents are intended to enhance the freedom of the individual, and to prevent the national government and individuals from having too much power, thus enslaving individuals.
Certainly, this freedom should come with limits to avoid limiting the freedom of others, in the way of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” So, we have laws to prevent killing, stealing, speeding, property damage, improper elections, slander, crime, prejudism, trespassing, illegal possession of guns and drugs, sexual and physical abuse, illegal national border crossings, and more. While these laws do provide limitations on behavior, they allow for the true freedom of all.
When our laws are not followed, the freedom of others are suppressed, oppressed, abused, and enslaved. It is critically important that we realize this. In this way, when laws are followed, all individuals have protection, all individuals are treated the same, and all individuals have their dignity respected. When laws do not provide for their intent, then the laws should be changed as our Democratic government allows and defines.
May we reflect upon freedom ourselves, may we consider our political ideas and determine if our ideas truly limit the freedom of others, may we see how true freedom for all provides for unity and aids in eliminating division, and may we always work for this true freedom, which existed at the inception of this country, which is demonstrated in the bible, and which Jesus Christ demonstrated, taught, and commanded when he walked on this earth.
The answers to most of our problems in our society have to do with the idea of freedom. We as a society have lost the Judeo-Christian idea and theory of freedom, upon which our country is based. We have forgotten. . . We need to go back to our Judeo-Christian roots.
